It’s generally best to start with bland foods like plain biscuits, bread, rice, potato or jelly. They can start eating other foods gradually. Avoid giving your child dairy products for 7-10 days after an episode of gastro, because this might make the diarrhoea go on longer.
What can I give my Baby after vomiting and diarrhea?
Babies that are being fed with infant feeding formula can be given boiled water and oral rehydration solutions. In the past, it was thought that not giving a child food for a day after they had vomited would help with their recovery. These days it’s recommended to feed children when they are hungry after vomiting or having diarrhoea.
What should I do if my baby has gastroenteritis?
Offer your baby a drink every time they vomit. Give small amounts of fluid often – give a few mouthfuls every 15 minutes for all children with diarrhoea or vomiting. This is especially important if your child is vomiting a lot. Your child may refuse food when they first get gastro. This is not a problem as long as they are drinking fluids.
What is the BRAT diet for gastroenteritis?
In the past, gastroenteritis diets have included withholding food for 24 hours and the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Some organizations now do not advise these methods.
What should my Baby or toddler eat when they have stomach flu?
What should my baby or toddler eat when she has the stomach flu? If your child is eating solids, resume her normal diet as soon as she can keep liquids down. That includes such staples as whole-grain breads and cereals, lean meats, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
How long does it take an infant to recover from gastro?
Most gastro infections resolve themselves without medical treatment, with symptoms lasting between 24 hours to five days, but sometimes it can take longer. If your child is drinking fluids and is alert and responsive, they can be looked after at home.
How long should gastroenteritis last in babies?
Gastroenteritis is easy to catch and spreads quickly, usually from person to person. It is almost impossible to stop children coming into contact with gastroenteritis, especially at pre-school. How long will my child be unwell? The usual duration of diarrhoea is 5-7 days and in most children it stops within 2 weeks.
How do you reintroduce food after gastro?
The goal is to reintroduce bland foods that are easy for your stomach to digest. The most recommended foods to eat after the stomach flu, food poisoning or a regular stomach ache are part of what's known as the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
Is yogurt good for gastroenteritis?
As yogurt is a dairy product, it's generally not recommended for stomach flu recovery.
What is the fastest way to cure gastroenteritis?
There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus....If you can keep food down:Eat mild, bland foods such as rice and bananas.If you can tolerate it, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be consumed.Avoid foods with a lot of fat and sugar, which can aggravate symptoms.
Is banana good for gastroenteritis?
Try to eat small amounts of food frequently if you experience nausea. Otherwise, gradually begin to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, applesauce, rice and chicken.
What can my child eat after a stomach virus?
Your doctor may recommend that you give your child bland foods for the first 24 hours. Bland foods include bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, saltine crackers and unsweetened cereals. If your child does well with these foods, you can add other foods over the next 48 hours.
How do you introduce solids after gastroenteritis?
The rules for re-feeding: Ice chips, Jell-O, and non-dairy popsicles also help to rehydrate. Slow and Steady: Most children can start with bland, solid foods about 4-6 hours after tolerating clear liquids. Offer one item at a time, in very small portions.
How do you get rid of gastroenteritis in babies?
To help ease your child's symptoms:Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. ... Make sure they get plenty of rest.Let your child eat if they're eating solids and feel hungry. ... Give them paracetamol if they have an uncomfortable fever or aches and pains.More items...•
When should I take my baby to the hospital for gastro?
Babies under six months old should always be checked by a GP if they have gastro, because they are at higher risk of dehydration. Any child with gastro should see a GP if they: are vomiting and have diarrhoea, and are not drinking.
What can I give my baby for gastroenteritis?
Breastfeed or bottle-feed more often, and for shorter amounts of time. If diarrhea continues, offer 2-3 ounces of Pedialyte (or a generic brand) to prevent dehydration after each time diarrhea occurs. Keep feeding with normal formula or breast milk. Pedialyte can be alternated with normal feedings.
How do you treat viral gastroenteritis in babies?
There is no specific treatment for gastroenteritis, and most kids can be treated at home. Keep your child hydrated by offering plenty of liquids. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the ER or hospital. Mild dehydration is treated with oral (by mouth) rehydration.
Eating After Gastroenteritis
Eating food as soon as you feel that you can may help prevent the infection from getting worse, according to the authors of the "American Family Physician" article, and may help you feel better faster (see reference 1 under Feeding). It also helps you get the nutrients you need for overall better health (see reference 1 under Feeding).
Lactose and Diarrhea
You may want to limit your intake of milk and other lactose-containing foods when you have diarrhea.
Monitor the symptoms and seek medical help if required
Most gastro infections resolve themselves without medical treatment, with symptoms lasting between 24 hours to five days, but sometimes it can take longer. If your child is drinking fluids and is alert and responsive, they can be looked after at home.
Rehydrate to replace lost fluids
When vomiting and diarrhoea occur, the body loses fluids that contain salts and minerals called electrolytes. Replacing these fluids prevents dehydration.
Rehydration for babies
If your child is breastfed, continue to do so but offer feeds more frequently. Offer babies a small drink every time they vomit to help maintain hydration.
Give food when hungry
In the past, it was thought that not giving a child food for a day after they had vomited would help with their recovery.
Stop the spread by practising good hygiene
Gastro is highly contagious, which means it can spread easily from person to person. Children are more at risk of catching gastro as they are more likely to come into frequent close contact with people and surfaces.
Care at home
The main treatment is to keep your child drinking fluids often such as water, oral rehydration solution, breastmilk or formula. It is very important to replace the fluids lost due to the vomiting and diarrhoea.
When to see a doctor
Babies under six months old should always be checked by a GP if they have gastro, because they are at higher risk of dehydration.
Key points to remember
Babies under six months old with gastro can become dehydrated very easily and need to be checked by a GP.
Common questions our doctors are asked
This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand.
What Is a Gastroenteritis Diet?
A gastroenteritis diet includes foods that should be eaten or given to a person who has gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the intestines and stomach. Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 days and include:
Why Should Use This Diet?
This diet can help ease symptoms and prevent dehydration. In the past, gastroenteritis diets have included withholding food for 24 hours and the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Some organizations now do not advise these methods.
Eating Guide
The goal of this diet is to help with hydration, balance minerals in the body, and provide nutrition.
Myth: Water is best for hydration
Fact: It doesn’t contain electrolytes needed by the body to sustain what’s lost during the time you were vomiting or having loose bowel.
Myth: Coke can settle the stomach from cramping
Fact: Cherry soup or syrup from fruit cocktails can be the best one not the coke. Gatorade or pedialyte is best for kids.
What is stomach flu?
Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. If your baby, toddler, or young child has gastroenteritis, she may have diarrhea , vomiting , abdominal pain , fever, chills, and achiness. Her symptoms may be mild or severe, and they may last for just a few hours or for days, depending on the cause.
How did my child get stomach flu?
Virus: Viral gastroenteritis is very contagious. Your baby or child may have eaten or touched something contaminated with the virus. Or he may have shared a cup or utensils with someone who has the virus. (It's possible to have the virus without showing symptoms.)
How common is stomach flu?
Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States (after upper respiratory infections such as colds ). Children average one or two bouts of this stomach bug each year.
When should I call my child's doctor?
If you suspect that your child has gastroenteritis, especially if she's younger than 6 months, call the doctor. Notify the doctor if your child:
Can medication help when my baby or toddler has the stomach flu?
If your child has a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Medication won't be helpful for a case of viral gastroenteritis because, like all viral infections, it just has to run its course.
How should I keep my baby or toddler hydrated?
Dehydration is the main concern whenever a child is losing fluid, whether it's through vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever. Offer your baby frequent breast or bottle feedings, and your toddler or young child plenty of water.
What should my baby or toddler eat when she has the stomach flu?
If your child is eating solids, resume her normal diet as soon as she can keep liquids down. That includes such staples as whole-grain breads and cereals, lean meats, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
